163 years ago today, on June 19, 1862 (May 23, 1862, the lunar calendar), U.S. President Lincoln signed a law prohibiting slavery. Lincoln opposed the practice of slavery in "free territories" and believed that if its expansion was prohibited, it would eventually perish. But because he was interested in a congressman seat and later planned to move into the White House. Lincoln didn't want to lose either side of the electorate. Many Americans share his view that slavery is immoral, but many more oppose the equal rights of black Americans in politics and society. Lincoln was caught in the middle: He didn't want to be seen as an abolitionist or supporter of slavery. On June 19, 1862, U.S. President Lincoln signed a law prohibiting slavery. On September 23, 1862, Lincoln issued a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. It was announced that if the southern rebels did not lay down their arms before January 1, 1863, slaves in the rebellious states would be free from that day. After the news reached the south. Thousands of slaves fled north. The British working class also launched a pro-North movement, forcing the British government to abandon its original plan of intervention. The Lincoln government also implemented a series of revolutionary measures and policies: from 1862 to 1863, it implemented a policy of arming blacks, and thousands of blacks signed up to join the Northern Army, mainly fugitive slaves from the South; the "Homestead Law" promulgated in May 1862 stipulated that all adults loyal to the Union could receive 160 acres of land in the West by paying a registration fee of US$10, and after cultivating the land for five years, they could become the owner of the land. The Lincoln government severely suppressed counter-revolutionaries and purged the army of Southern agents. In 1893, the Conscription Law was introduced to replace the conscription system, thereby strengthening the strength of the north.